By K.B. Sherman, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – The regularly scheduled meeting of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen April 14 was largely taken-up by two closed executive sessions. After opening the public meeting, James Kane, the board’s chair, moved to a closed executive session to deal with respect to litigation involving the town’s Water Management Act, permit 9P4-2-12-271. After resuming the open session of the meeting for several items, Kane again moved to a closed executive session with the Personnel Board and Finance Committee for the purpose of a strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.
In open session, several matters were addressed. Selectman Henry Fitzgerald thanked the townspeople for a successful town clean-up effort following a severe winter of snow storms. Kane expressed his positive opinion on how Gov. Charlie Baker is addressing the myriad of state regulations with the aim of simplifying them and shrinking their number. He also congratulated Assistant Town Manager Thomas Gregory, who will be leaving Shrewsbury to become the assistant town manager for Walpole.
Newly elected State Representative Hannah Kane next addressed the board. Kane was recently elected to replace former State Representative Matthew Beaton, who recently was appointed to the post of state secretary of energy and environmental affairs. On the job for only six days, Kane told the board that the next state budget would be unlikely to stray too far from what the Legislature wants. Selectwoman Moira Miller replied that the board looked forward to working with her.
Town Principal Planner Kristen Las next addressed the board regarding articles on the warrant for the Town Meeting to be held in May. She indicated that most of the eight articles dealing with changes in zoning and use of land were “house-keeping” in nature. They deal in large part with correcting discrepancies from 2014 regarding details of the changes in the Lakeway Overlay District, updates in response to the state 40B housing law, references to other regulations, outside business displays and storage, permissible scales used in submitted building plans, mandatory sidewalks in new construction, farmers’ market rules, and three new proposed subdivisions up for review. Las then indicated that she had prepared a letter to the state regarding the town’s proposed changes to counting affordable housing units. Chair Kane indicated that the board approved and would co-sign the letter.
In regard to a letter received from Town Engineer Jeffrey Howland, the board voted to support several Town Meeting articles that would bring the town more into compliance with federal guidelines for water use. Finally, a public hearing was held to approve an all alcoholic beverage pouring license for Pho Sure restaurant, 100 Boston Turnpike. The board approved the license for manager Son Vo after noting that fire and zoning permits had already been issued by the town.
